Welcome to the First Reformed church of bethlehem
New for February:
Important Links:
Finances and Fundraising:
Sunday Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. Masks are optional within the church building. If desired, you may attend in the privacy of your car parked in our parking lot, tune your radio to 1590 AM.
If you would like to receive a box of weekly giving envelopes, please call the office at 518-767-2243. Using these envelopes allows our treasurer to be able to credit your donations at the end of the year for tax purposes.
Online offerings may be made on-line via Tithe.ly and the Give button below. These donations will be deposited directly into the church bank account. You have the option to give to either the General or Renovation Fund. Both Tithe.ly and the church will record your donations.
Tithe.ly deducts a small fee per credit card transaction (2.65% plus $0.30). You have the option to cover these fees, if you wish. You may also choose to have Tithe.ly automatically donate for you weekly or monthly.
As always, thank you for your generosity.
Stained Glass Window Restoration Project
What is ahead for 2025? Phase 2 of the window restoration project will begin. It consists of refurbishing the 8 fellowship hall windows and 1 window in the upstairs men’s room, which as best as can be determined, date back to the late 1800’s. Because of their age and condition, all of these windows will be totally removed with the lead work completed at Chapman Stained Glass Studio. The wood frames will be reconditioned before the restored windows are reinstalled. The windows will then have new ventilated clear protective coverings installed as was done for the windows in Phase 1.
When will this begin? The first 2 windows are scheduled for removal in mid-January or February depending on the weather. By spring or early summer, they are expected to be re-installed. If the necessary funding through donations is in place at that time, the goal is to remove/repair/replace three more windows by the end of 2025. Leaving four windows needing restoration in 2026.
Once again thank you to everyone for supporting the window restoration project. Best wishes to everyone for a Blessed and Happy New Year!!
Looking Back and Ahead
Before looking at what is ahead for 2025, let’s remember what was accomplished in 2024. A total of 25 stained glass windows were restored in Phase 1!! This included the rose and gothic arch sanctuary windows, the front entrance vestibule windows, the rectangular bell tower windows, and the circular bell tower windows. Comments have been overwhelmingly favorable noting not only that the exterior aesthetics of the church are greatly enhanced, but also that the interior of the church has a radiant brilliance when the sun shines bright!
FRCB is extremely grateful for the thoughtful and heartfelt donations given by its members and friends that made completion of Phase 1 possible. FRCB also is grateful for the grant it received from the New York Landmarks Conservancy-Sacred Sites Programs. In addition, we are indebted to and thank Chapman Stained Glass Studio and its crew for completing this portion of the project safely and according to the pre-arranged timeline.
What is ahead for 2025? Phase 2 of the window restoration project will begin. It consists of refurbishing the eight fellowship hall windows and 1 window in the upstairs men’s room which, as best as can be determined, date back to the late 1800’s. Because of their age and condition, all of these windows will be totally removed with the lead work completed at Chapman Stained Glass Studio. The wood frames will be reconditioned before the restored windows are reinstalled. The windows will then have new ventilated clear protective coverings installed, as was done for the windows in Phase 1.
When will this begin? The first two windows are scheduled for removal in mid-January or February, depending on the weather. By spring or early summer, they are expected to be re-installed. If the necessary funding through donations is in place at that time, the goal is to remove/repair/replace three more windows by the end of 2025; leaving four windows needing restoration in 2026.
A very generous donation in 2024 by a member of the congregation allowed FRCB to pay off its 10-year renovation loan a year early and kick-start Phase 2 of the Stained Glass Window Restoration Project! Once again we hope the members and friends of FRCB will support the Stained Glass Window Restoration Project with their donations insuring that all of the church’s beautiful windows remain for another 150 years.
Once again thank you to everyone for supporting the window restoration project.
The bottle and can drive is
starting 2025 off to a big start. I just received $202 from our cans and
bottles. What a good start to reaching our next goal, which is $2000!
Thank you all for making this fundraiser so successful. Thank you! Arlene
Thank you to all who have participated in our various fundraisers.
Other fundraising ideas:
Please share your ideas with a consistory member!
